“Love you.” Renee blew me a kiss and I blew her one back.
When the door closed I flopped on the couch to study for my PT exam. It was coming up and when it was over and done with my future would be right on track. Nice and orderly just like I liked it. Nothing in the gray area of right and wrong.
My phone alerted me of a text message and I dropped my notes on the ground when I lunged for it.
My heart dropped when I noticed it was a link sent from Claire’s number.
Don’t open it, McKenna. Nothing good could come from it.
Under the link in confusing spiteful words was.
I guess you were
telling the truth.
Trip looks better
with her than you
anyway.
With a shaky finger I clicked the link and chewed on my lip as the page loaded. Well, fuck, Trip wasn’t lying when he said he was dating someone.
Right there in full color was a picture of him smiling down at Robin Sands, the all American sweetheart and pitcher for the US Olympic softball team.
Robin matched his height in her elegant dark blue pumps, which accented perfectly with her tight white dress. Trip was dressed in a fitted sports coat his tousled hair combed into submission. They were perfection.
The article stated Trip and Robin were a match made in heaven, and it eluded to Trip’s turn in behavior hinging from his involvement with Robin.
Readers’ comments showed how much they loved the two of them as a couple. Some even mentioned me and how I couldn’t compare to Robin and they were glad Trip came to his senses. My phone almost slipped out of my hand when I read a comment asking if Trip’s claim to everlasting bachelorhood had finally been put into submission.
A drop landed on my phone, obscuring the cruel words in front of me. It wasn’t until I saw the evidence on my screen I realized I was crying. I swiped my eyes with the back of my hand and closed the article.
Before I could descend into the blackness calling me, my phone rang. I snatched it up with pathetic swiftness, hoping it was Trip calling to tell me it was all a sham.
I didn’t recognize the number and almost didn’t answer it, but any distraction seemed like a good one.
“McKenna?”
“Yes.”
“I know this is a little unorthodox, but this is Selina Butler, Trip’s mom.”
“Hello, Mrs. Butler, how are you today?”
I took the phone from my ear and glanced at the screen as if it would give me some indication on what was happening.
“I’m fine, dear, and please call me Selina. Trip told us last night that you had a late game today. I was wondering if you would be free for lunch.”
I glanced around my living room, waiting for someone to come out and point a camera in my face like I was on some sort of prank show.
“McKenna?” Trip’s mom sounded hesitant and I realized I’d been quiet for a long time.
“Sorry, I was checking my calendar.” I smacked my forehead at how stupid I sounded. “I can do lunch today.”
“Perfect. I’m looking forward to seeing you.”
After Selina gave me the name of the restaurant and we agreed on a time I hung up. On my couch, I stared at my phone in confusion.
